Tips for Vegetable Transplants
Teresa Rusinek, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Attention to detail during transplant production will reward you with quality transplants and optimal results in the field.
Pathogens -There are numerous diseases that can impact your crop, and a good number of these can be seedborne. A first line of defense is to ensure you are planting clean seed. Buy disease indexed seeds when available. To reduce bacterial seedborne diseases in crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and brassicas, seeds can be hot water treated. Chlorine treatment can also be useful on some seeds as a surface treatment but will not kill pathogens inside the seed.
Tips for Beautiful Vegetable Transplants (pdf; 623KB)

Upcoming Events
Leading the Farm Team: Supervisory Skills for New Managers
April 14, 2026 : Session 1: Becoming a Supervisor
The transition from working alongside employees to supervising them can be challenging. This session explores the shift from individual contributor to supervisor and the mindset and skills needed to lead a team effectively. Participants will learn about the role of a supervisor, key leadership behaviors, and how to build trust and credibility with employees.
April 21, 2026 : Session 2: Improving Performance
This session will introduce the performance triad—clear expectations, training, and feedback—to support employee success. We will discuss practical communication strategies, how to give constructive feedback, and how supervisors can help employees improve their performance over time.
April 28, 2026 : Session 3: Managing Conflict
Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a professional and respectful workplace. This session covers some of the legal and ethical responsibilities of supervisors and the responsibilities managers have in addressing workplace concerns.
Participants will also explore common sources of workplace conflict, learn to recognize potential biases that can influence management decisions, and discuss practical approaches for addressing difficult situations and resolving conflicts at work.
